Halloween Costume Dos & Don’ts

Halloween Costume Dos & Don’ts

DO save the skimpy looks for the bedroom

Don’t commit the ultimate costume cop-out: Lingerie and random props do not a Halloween costume make.

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DO be a femme fatale

If flirting up a storm is your MO on All Hallow’s Eve, try a tastefully seductive look like model Sophie Dahl’s imitation of Andy Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick.

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DON’T dress up as your frenemy

Style insiders had a good laugh when designer Roberto Cavalli dressed up as fellow fashion VIP Karl Lagerfeld. But while imitating your faux BFF or crazy co-worker sounds funny in theory, chances are she won’t appreciate the joke.

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DO be creative

Seriously, how many more Halloweens are you going to be a witch, cat, princess or any of those predictable, ho-hum characters? If you’re running out of time—or ideas—simply don a vintage ’60s dress and play the part of a Mad Men secretary!

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DO find a costume buddy

Be sure to abide by the cardinal Halloween costume rule: Friends don’t let friends make a fool of themselves—alone. Going all out with hair and makeup is much more fun, as well as memorable, when you’re doing it with someone in your inner Facebook circle. And DO take photos! Just DON’T make them your office screensaver.

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DO keep it simple

Don’t spend your whole night trying to explain your last-minute, random getup. Make sure your costume is something people can easily understand, even after a few rounds of spiked punch.

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DON’T supersize It

One wrong move with a bulky outfit like Heidi Klum’s spells disaster for glass-filled bars and other fragile backdrops.

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DO have a fairy-tale ending (or evening at least)

Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, people will mock you. Who cares? Indulge your childhood fantasy and earn points with cartoon-loving kids with a Disney character costume.

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DO dress up your eyes

DO leave something to the imagination

Contrary to popular belief, Halloween was not started as an excuse to dress up like a tart. Skip the skin-baring costumes, which are total DON’Ts. After all, an attention-hungry partygoer can be as scary as ghosts or goblins.

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If all else fails, DO channel Madonna

Audrina Patridge perfected balanced flirty and fun with her Desperately Seeking Susan costume. Any of Madge’s iconic looks, from cone bra to striped track pants, would be a fun and easy option.

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DO update your Madonna costume.

To fully get into the Material Girl’s chameleonlike groove, retire the ’80s white petticoat and re-create Madge’s latest fashion statement instead. All you need is a pair of giant bunny ears and thigh-high boots—things that all major Madonna fans probably already have anyway, right?

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DON’T be afraid to keep your costume simple.

If at 5 o’clock on Halloween you’re racing to the costume shop, skip the predictable kitty-cat/fairy-princess thing and just pick up a fancy mask. Use the very elegant Charlize Theron as your style guide, slip on an old prom-type dress and pretend you’re on your way to a Venetian masque ball—even if you’re only going over to your BFF’s beer-pong party.

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DO find a couples costume that won’t freak him out.

We’ve gotta admit that guys in cowboy getups—like the simple version that cutie-pie singer John Legend wore—is something both sexes will consider cool. Create your own more feminine version, et voila.

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DO get inspiration from your favorite childhood fairy tale.

While Lo isn’t always our favorite character on The Hills, her Little Red Riding Hood outfit is equal parts cute and charming—the perfect recipe for success when it comes to Halloween costumes.

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DON’T wear bloody makeup.

It’s just scary—and not in that good trick-or-treat kind of way.

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DO take advantage of Halloween to get wild and crazy like Lady Gaga.

Grab a blond wig, major shades, platform heels and anything else you can get your hands on and you’ve got yourself what will likely be this year’s most popular—not to mention easiest and most fun—Halloween costume.

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DO use the occasion to bust out an evening gown.

With the exception of A-listers and pageant queens, most of us don’t have many opportunities to wear black tie threads. Don’t let that long, fancy gown you bought for your friend’s wedding just sit in your closet. Wear yours with an annoyed expression and carry around your cell phone and tell everyone that you’re being a professional party hopper this year.

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DON’T use body paint if youre planning on having a hot and heavy night.

Skip the full body makeup if you think you might be smooching (or more-than-smooching) your date on Halloween. Turns out getting white paste and glittery goop all over your guy isn’t a great seduction technique.